Background on Naby Keïta
Liverpool‘s fans were buzzing with excitement when the news broke that Naby Keïta was joining the club, transfer fee of £52.75 million. The midfielder was widely regarded as one of the best players in the Bundesliga, and his signing was highly anticipated by the footballing world. However, things have not gone according to plan for Keïta since his arrival at Anfield.
Despite the hype surrounding Keïta’s arrival, the midfielder has struggled with injuries, and his performances on the pitch have been below-par when he has managed to play. It’s been a frustrating time for Liverpool fans who were hoping for Keïta to become an integral part of the team’s midfield.
Many have questioned whether Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp made the right decision to sign Keïta. Some have even suggested that the club’s data science department got it wrong when they identified the midfielder as a target.
In this article, we’ll delve deep into the reasons behind Keïta’s underwhelming performances. We’ll examine the hype surrounding the Guinean midfielder, his injury struggles, and whether Liverpool and Klopp made a mistake by signing him. It’s time to explore what went wrong with Naby Keïta at Liverpool, and why the data science department might have got it wrong.
There was a lot of excitement among the fans. The midfielder was highly rated in the Bundesliga, and he had put in some impressive performances for RB Leipzig. His all-round game was what impressed Liverpool the most. Keïta was a box-to-box midfielder who could run for 90 minutes and had a keen eye for goal. He was a player who could make things happen in midfield and was comfortable in possession of the ball.
The Data Science Behind the Signing
Liverpool’s data-driven approach to player recruitment is renowned in the football world, and their analytical department is considered one of the best in the business. When it came to the signing of Naby Keïta, the club’s data scientists were heavily involved in the decision-making process. They had been tracking the Guinean midfielder for some time, and their data analysis showed that Keïta possessed the attributes necessary to thrive in Klopp’s high-pressing system.
The data suggested that Keïta had an impressive work rate and was capable of covering a lot of ground, winning back possession, and creating chances for his teammates. The Liverpool hierarchy, including Klopp, were convinced that Keïta was the missing piece in their midfield puzzle, and they were willing to pay a premium fee to secure his services.
However, the reality has been far from what Liverpool had hoped for. Keïta has struggled with injuries and has failed to make a consistent impact on the pitch. Liverpool’s data-driven approach may have been sound, but it appears to have failed in the case of Keïta. Despite all the analysis and research, the midfielder has not been able to deliver on his promise, leaving many Liverpool fans disappointed.
The disappointment has been compounded by the fact that Keïta’s signing was so highly anticipated. Liverpool fans had been eagerly waiting for the midfielder’s arrival, expecting him to be a game-changer. However, the reality has been a far cry from those expectations, with Keïta often looking out of his depth in the Premier League.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will continue to rely on their data-driven approach to recruitment or whether they will take a different approach in the future. Whatever the case, the Keïta signing serves as a reminder that even the best data analysis can’t predict everything in football.
Liverpool’s data-driven recruitment process
Liverpool’s recruitment process is a force to be reckoned with, as it combines the best of both worlds – traditional scouting methods and cutting-edge analytics. This has enabled the club to identify some of the best players in the world and make some of the most astute signings in recent times. Naby Keïta was a prime example of this, as Liverpool’s data scientists had been tracking him for some time before finally making the decision to sign him.
The data-driven recruitment process at Liverpool is simply fascinating. The club’s recruitment team delves deep into player statistics, analysing everything from a player’s passing accuracy to their defensive work rate. The team then uses this information to identify potential transfer targets and optimise the team’s performance. With Keïta, the data suggested that he had all the qualities required to thrive in Liverpool’s midfield – excellent dribbling ability, pinpoint passing accuracy, and a tireless work rate in defence.
Liverpool’s data-driven approach has been praised by football experts and fans alike, and it is easy to see why. With such a sophisticated system in place, the club has been able to make some truly game-changing signings. The signing of Keïta was no exception, and while his time at the club may not have been perfect, there is no denying that Liverpool’s recruitment process is among the best in the business.
Klopp’s Handling of Keïta
Jürgen Klopp’s management of Naby Keïta has come under scrutiny since the midfielder’s arrival at Liverpool. Some critics have argued that Klopp has not played Keïta in his preferred role as a box-to-box midfielder. Others have suggested that Klopp has not provided enough game time or support to help Keïta adjust to life in the Premier League.
Klopp has defended his decision to play Keïta in a deeper role, but it is clear that the midfielder has not yet been able to reach the same level of performance he displayed in the Bundesliga. Klopp and his coaching staff will likely continue to evaluate and adjust Keïta’s role within the team in order to maximise his potential and contribution to the squad.
Naby Keïta injuries at liverpool
| Season | Injury | Matches missed |
| 2018-19 | Thigh muscle strain | 9 |
| 2019-20 | Groin injury | 10 |
| 2019-20 | Ankle injury | 5 |
| 2020-21 | Ankle injury | 17 |
| 2020-21 | Muscle injury | 2 |
| 2021-22 | Hamstring injury | 10 |
| 2021-22 | Ankle injury | 4 |
| 2021-22 | Hip injury | 6 |
| Total | – | 53 |
Keïta alternatives signings
In 2017, Liverpool was heavily linked with RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita. However, the club failed to sign him in that transfer window and had to wait until the following summer to bring him to Anfield. In the meantime, there were several alternative signings that Liverpool could have pursued.
- Thomas Lemar – The Monaco midfielder was highly sought after in the summer of 2017 and was linked with a move to Liverpool. Lemar’s ability to play in multiple positions in midfield made him an attractive option.
- Jean-Michael Seri – The Ivorian midfielder was also linked with Liverpool in 2017. Seri had an excellent season with Nice, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists in Ligue 1.
- Leon Goretzka – The Schalke midfielder was another potential alternative to Keita. Goretzka had an impressive season in the Bundesliga, scoring six goals and providing five assists.
- Corentin Tolisso – The French midfielder was also linked with Liverpool in 2017. Tolisso had a strong season with Lyon, scoring 14 goals and providing seven assists in Ligue 1.
- Renato Sanches – The Portuguese midfielder was highly regarded after his impressive performances in the 2016 European Championships. Sanches was linked with Liverpool before eventually signing for Swansea City on loan.
Conclusion
While Liverpool’s data-driven approach to recruitment has been successful in recent years, it appears that they may have got it wrong with Naby Keïta. Despite their extensive analysis, the Guinean midfielder has failed to live up to expectations due to a combination of injuries and a lack of form. However, it is important to note that Liverpool’s data science has been instrumental in the signings of several key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and Mohamed Salah, among others.
Unfortunately, it looks like Keïta’s time at Liverpool will come to an end this summer as he is set to leave on a free transfer. This will be a disappointing outcome for a player who arrived with so much promise and potential.
Keïta’s injury record has undoubtedly played a significant role in his struggles at Liverpool. The midfielder has been plagued by various injuries during his time at the club, which has prevented him from establishing himself as a regular starter. It is a shame that Liverpool and their fans were not able to see the best of Naby Keïta due to his injury woes.
Overall, Liverpool’s data science has been a driving force behind the club’s recent success, but the Keïta signing serves as a reminder that even the best data analysis cannot predict everything. It will be interesting to see how Liverpool’s recruitment strategy evolves in the coming years and whether they can continue to unearth hidden gems in the transfer market.
Catch you in the next one.